ICA Member Profile: Shane Cultra

Most people know Shane Cultra from his blog/website DomainShane.com or DSAD.com, which he’s been writing since 2009 and which now specializes in the domain aftermarket and brings out a daily list of best names for sale each day at all the major auction houses. Shane noticed the domain world back in 1995 but it wasn’t until 2007 when he was in a position to start building his domain portfolio and business. And while he’s been selling domains ever since, he calls his nursery/landscaping business his “regular” job where he’s the 5th generation owner of this family business. Shane puts in full time hours into both businesses and as if he didn’t have enough on his plate, he also competes in Ironman triathlons and marathons!

Profile Questions

Tell us a little bit about your background and your personal story.
I run and own a nursery as my “regular” job. Our family started the business in 1865 and I am the 5th generation to run it. We have 40 employees in two cities. My domain business is my second business but I put in full time hours. Our blog/site DSAD.com specializes in the domain aftermarket and brings out a daily list of what we think are the best names up for sale each day at all the major auction houses.

How did you get involved in the domain industry?
I am an investor in many different things and stumbled across DomainNoob (LLLL.com) back in 2007 and been buying and selling domains ever since. Been blogging on domains since 2009.

What is your current role?
A partner in the domain site DSAD.com.

Why did you choose to support the ICA?
The domain industry has been a big part of my livelihood over the last 10 years and I believe that supporting the ICA is the best way to help protect that livelihood.

Can you share a prediction about the future of the domain industry?
It only gets bigger and stronger. The areas that present opportunity and risk will change but there will always be opportunity as long as the Internet exists and domain names are the addresses that navigate it.

What do you like most about the domain industry?
The financial opportunity.

If you could change one thing about the domain industry what would it be?
The lack of transparency.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges the domain industry is faced with?
The legal challenges of domains that represent common words and who owns the rights to those words.

What do you wish other people knew about the ICA?
That it’s not for the “elite” but for everyone that has assets to protect.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the ICA?
Support those that support you

What unexpected doors opened for you because of your involvement in the domain industry?
I expected to find great colleagues but never expected to find so many great friends.

What’s the best advice ever received (domain related or otherwise)?
Outwork the smart and outsmart the dumb.

What are your main interests outside of the domain industry?
Endurance sports.

Favorite place to get away:
The Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai

Anything else you’d like to share:
Thank you for letting me be a part.

The views expressed here are the personal views of the member and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ICA.